Author: Opindia Staff
Publication: Opindia.com
Date: January 30, 2019
URL: https://www.opindia.com/2019/01/stooping-so-low-as-to-make-a-false-statement-raises-questions-about-purpose-of-your-visit-manohar-parrikar-to-rahul-gandhi-in-a-scathing-letter/
Rahul Gandhi had met Manohar Parrikar in Goa on 29 January
Reacting to comments made by Rahul Gandhi on his meeting with Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar, the former defence minister has sent a strongly worded letter to the Congress president. Yesterday Rahul Gandhi had met Parikar in Goa. Talking about the meeting later at a rally, Rahul Gandhi had claimed that Parrikar had told him that Parrikar had “nothing to do with the new Rafale deal orchestrated by Mr Narendra Modi to benefit Anil Ambani”.
Reacting to that statement, Manohar Parrikar says in the letter that he feels let down that Rahul Gandhi has used the visit for his ‘petty political gains’. He says that “in the 05 minutes you spent with me, neither did you mention anything about Rafale, nor did we discuss anything about/related to it”.
The former defence minister further clarified that the Inter Government Agreement between Indian and French government and the procurement of the Rafale jet is done as per Defence Procurement Protocol (DPP). He stated the aircraft is being procured following all standard procedures keeping national security as top priority.
Parrikar also writes that paying a courtesy visit and then stooping so low as to make a false statement for petty political gain raises questions about the sincerity and purpose of Rahul Gandhi’s visit.
The full letter can be viewed below:
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Manohar Parrikar
Chief Minister, Goa
30th January 2019
Dear Shri Rahul Gandhi
Yesterday i.e. on 29th January 2019, without any prior information, you called on me and enquired me about my health condition. We have a healthy political tradition in India to rise above bipartisan considerations and with even opponents a quick recovery from any ailments. I received your visit in that spirit fighting as I am with good medical care, a severe ailment. I appreciate your kind gesture.
However, reading media reports covering your visit to my office has caused me distress. It is reported in the media today that you have said quoting me that I was nowhere in the process of procuring Rafale nor did I have any information then about it. I feel let down that you have your petty political gains. In the 05 minutes you spent with me, neither did you mention anything about Rafale, nor did we discuss anything about/related to it. Nothing whatsoever about Rafale was even mentioned in your meeting with me.
The Inter Government Agreement (IGA) and the procurement of Rafale are as per Defence Procurement Procedure. I have said this before and wish to reiterate it again in today's context too. The fighter aircraft are procured following all stated procedures keeping national security as top priority.
Paying a courtesy visit and then stooping so low as to make a false statement for petty political gain has raised, in my mind, questions about the sincerity and purpose of your visit itself.
Here am I fighting a life-threatening illness. Due to my training and ideological strength, I wish to serve Goa and its people against any/all odds.
I thought your visit would give me your good wishes in that cause of serving our people. Little did I know that you had other intentions.
With deep disappointment, I write to you hoping that you would put out the truth. Kindly do not use your visit to an ailing person to feed political opportunism.
I remain in the service of the people of Goa and India.
With warm regards,
Manohar Parrikar
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